Summer 1914′

Waterloo Region During The First World War

When Great Britain declared war, the long-standing alliances between the European Powers had come to a head. The Triple Alliance was formed in 1883 between Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy, against Russia and France. Great Britain had never been formally part of this alliance, but had been closely linked to it due to her apprehension of French and Russian aggressiveness as well. This, however, changed when Great Britain became wary of Germany’s naval growth after 1902.

As a result Great Britain became aligned with France in 1904 and Russia in 1907 forming the Triple Entente. The Triple Entente sought a balance of power in Europe, a strengthening of the treaty laws to help maintain peace and the status quo, and disarmament across Europe. They also made a commitment to one another to raise a land force and naval force that exceeded the strength of the Triple Alliance’s forces. This commitment was of extreme importance now that all six nations were at war.

As tensions increased in Europe, British Prime Minister H.H. Asquith and Winston Churchill, the First Lord of the Admiralty, began consulting Lord Horatio Kitchener. Just before war was declared, all heads of missions on leave were ordered to return to their posts. Kitchener, who was on leave in England, was waiting for a ship to take him back his post in Cairo, Egypt when Asquith requested that he attend the Council of War.

On 4 August, Asquith interviewed Kitchener for the position of Secretary of War, and he was formally appointed the next day. Kitchener would prove to be an important addition to the British War Cabinet; he was adamant that Britain needed to prepare for a long struggle that would be primarily fought on land. This contrasted the widely held belief that Britain could quickly achieve victory with its navy. Once appointed, Kitchener took the steps necessary to raise a large land force.

On 5 August, the Minster of Militia, Colonel Samuel Hughes, was authorized by the Canadian government to carry out a partial mobilization. In the week prior to the declaration of the war, there had been extensive efforts to ensure that the main defense posts of Canada were well prepared and fully manned. The Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR) had been mobilized and sent to strategic ports for the coastal defense of Canada. Additionally, harbours were fortified and mines were placed in strategic locations for the defense of Canada. Britain encouraged Canada to secure her self-defence before raising Canadian troops for overseas service.

On 5 August, the Canadian Government placed an order for 15,000 No. 3 Canadian Ross Rifles. The Ross Rifle Factory was to complete this order as soon as possible, which led them to hire extra workers to complete the order. This rifle was chosen by the Canadian Militia Department for its apparent superiority. Canadian military experts had proclaimed the rifle the best military arm in the world. The goal was to have enough rifles for all 25,000 men who would be assembling at Valcartier for training before going to the Europe. The Canadian Government placed additional rush orders for the rifle, so that in the event of a second or even third contingent, they would be ready to send the men overseas with arms.

After the war was declared on the evening of 4 August, Canadians across the country stated their intentions to volunteer. However, it was not just men who displayed this strong level of patriotism and support for the British Empire; women too proclaimed their intentions. Although there had not yet been a request made by the Canadian government or the Red Cross Society in Canada, nurses in the Twin City (Berlin-Waterloo) stated their desire to volunteer if such a request was made. Several nurses were ready to go overseas and take to the field. They were told that a medical corps would be organized within two or three days, if the need were present.

On 5 August, the Berlin Daily Telegraph reprinted an article from Ottawa that explained the requirements for enlistment if Canada sent a contingent overseas. Although the article was originally published on 3 August in Ottawa, its content became all the more important by 5 August since Britain had declared war. As the possibility of Canada contributing a contingent increased, Canadians needed to know what the requirements for enlistment were.

Across Canada military corps were proclaiming their willingness to serve overseas. The Canadian Government responded to this by informing Canadians that there would be stringent requirements for enlistment into an overseas force. Every man would need to pass a medical exam, and secure a certificate of physical fitness. The article further informed the Waterloo Region readership that while it was expected that most of men in artillery batteries and cavalry troops would pass, few infantry regiments would see all of their men pass the physical. Additionally men with officer ranks would be under scrutiny as well, because only those with the most military experience and training would be entrusted with the command of Canada’s young men. The Canadian Government planned to accept only the best men for overseas service.

Thirty-five members of the “C” Squadron, 24th Grey’s Horse, volunteered to go to the front for active service overseas on 5 August. At this time however, Canada’s offer of a Contingent had not yet been accepted by Britain. Regardless, these men displayed their patriotism and their desire to support the motherland during the present crisis.

The 24th Regiment Grey’s Horse was a militia cavalry regiment in the Oxford and Waterloo counties. The “C” Squadron was stationed in the Waterloo Region, while their headquarters and the regiment’s “A” squadron were stationed in Woodstock, Ontario. At this point they did not know if they would be ordered to go to camp as scheduled on 17 August, or if they would receive orders from Ottawa to mobilize. When Canada’s offer to send a contingent overseas was accepted by Great Britain, men across Waterloo Region and Canada rushed to try to enlist; among those men were members of the “C” Squadron.

On 6 August, the Canadian National Nurses Association made the call for volunteer nurses. Women who were willing to perform their duty to the empire on the field of battle and wherever else they were needed were asked to answer this call. Only those who were prepared for such a duty were asked to register their names with Miss Rodgers, the Superintendent of the Berlin & Waterloo Hospital, or Miss Masters, the Secretary of the Graduate Nurses’ Association in the Waterloo Region. By 8 August, five young women from the region had offered their services and reported to Miss Masters. The women would join the volunteer Red Cross Society in overseas service with the first contingent.

The week after war was declared, there was a rising suspicion that there would soon be a large naval battle. Britain was the leading naval power in the world, and some believed that she could bring a quick end to the war if she could engage Germany in a naval battle. When all of the Canadian Atlantic ports, including Montreal, closed at the same time that the British ports closed, predictions of a naval battle became all the more persistent. Contributing to this suspicion was the fact that two Canadian Ships, the steamships Margaret and Canada, were being transferred to the naval service. Many other ships had also been placed on active service. There was no report of any action on the water though, and officials remained adamant that the port closures were carried out as a precaution. German cruisers were in the Atlantic and once they were removed ports would be opened again. Despite these assurances, predictions of a naval battle continued throughout August.

The Ontario government offered to contribute to the preparation of the Canadian Forces by bearing the cost to vaccinate the First Contingent. Typhoid and enteric fever had resulted in approximately 8200 deaths during the South African War. It was hoped that vaccination against typhoid, before Canadians went overseas, would save Canadians from a similar fate during this war.

The Department of Health in Ontario began preparations for a system of anti-typhoid vaccination to be carried out by the end of the month. This would require many health care professionals and a large amount of the serum. This was seen as a way for the province to demonstrate its support of the Dominion and by extension the motherland, and hopefully to help protect Canadian soldiers.